What is PM WANI Scheme & what you need to know about it?

When it comes to the concept of digital India, it’s the presence of Wi-Fi connection and the access that comes along with it that moves it forward. However, that’s only possible if general public can properly access the services.  To facilitate this, WANI or Wi-Fi Access Network Interface came into existence.

A recent guideline, it has paved the way for a truly digital India. Through this article, we are going to inform you about its framework. Through this article, you’ll know what is WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) framework and why you need to know about it.

What is the definition of WANI Network?

Internet is possible through several means, and through different media and through different forms of hardware. However, the consumer access to broadband is only suitable for them if they have it through public Wireless access points.

These access points would allow anyone to have access to internet, at any given time via Wi-Fi. That’s what’s covered in the WANI framework. Introduced as the WANI scheme by the Prime Minister of India on 11th December 2020, its goal is to:

1. Speed up the process of spreading internet services through public Wi-Fi network.
2. Finding hotspots and establishing WANI access points.
3. Letting users register themselves at the access points so that they can use the internet.
4. Being a public hotpot, through it, broadband service providers can provide internet access without the need of license fee.
5. Ensuring that only legitimate individuals have access to internet by implementing eKYC verification mechanism.

To make the point even simple, it’s a move to make internet accessible to all, anywhere, anytime, and of good quality.

Elements of the WANI ecosystem

As you already might’ve surmised, it’s a way to provide mostly free internet to people in public places. That’s why, there are multiple modules at play here. These elements are working together for the purpose of implementing WANI scheme in the best way possible.

1. Public Data Office (PDO): The primary element of the WANI framework, following are the primary responsibilities of Public Data Office:
   1. Establish WANI compliance Access points.
   2. Maintain WANI compliance Access points, and
   3. Operator WANI compliance Access points.
2. Public Data Office Aggregator: It’s the regulatory body that will be responsible for bundle together the Public Data offices and conducting operations dealing with authorization and accounting.
3. App Provider: The app provider will develop an application that would register users and search for WANI compliance Wi-Fi Hotspots for them. It would then display the search result in the user’s phone or device so that they can visit that place and get internet access.
4. Central Register: It will maintain the details about App Providers, Public Data Officer Aggregators and Public Data Offices. C-DoT will be the party responsible for maintaining this register.
5. WANI: Wireless Access Network Interface, in simple terms, is an interface that would allow users to access wireless internet in WANI compliance hotspots.  It’s the combination of the four elements we have explained before: PDO, PDOA, App provider and central register.

Why do you need to know about it?

Having internet access is the difference between success and failure nowadays. With WANI, as a consumer, you have a way to get quality internet access while you’re on the road.

And, as an internet service provider, you have a way provide internet services in ways you couldn’t before. Because there is no license fee involved, all you need is equipment and the will and desire to expand and that’s it, you can just move forward and make one of those WANI access points your own.

How to get WANI registration?

To establish WANI access point, you have to register as an app provider / Public Data office Aggregator (PDOA). The details that you’re required to enter are as follows:

1. CIN of the applicant company
2. Name of the company
3. Complete address details of the company:
   1. Corporate Office Address
   2. Registered Office Address
4. Name of the Authorized representative who would file the application on your behalf.
   1. His designation
   2. His contact details
5. Copy of the board resolution that gives power to the authorized representative to apply for WANI registration (registration of PDOA) on your behalf.
6. Copy of approval from government of India if foreign direct investment (FDI) in your Indian company is more than 49%.

Conclusion

If you want to provide internet access via Wi-Fi access points, you have to develop and app. And to get legal right to do so, you have to obtain PM WANI Registration. It’s a brave new license in this brave new country. So, go ahead and apply for WANI registration.

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.